Judd Trump says becoming the first player to win a ranking event three years in a row in almost 25 years would be “pretty special”.

The world number one is eyeing his name in snooker’s record books this week by aiming to secure a Northern Ireland Open hat-trick.

Trump won the Home Nations ranking event and Alex Higgins Trophy both in 2018 and 2019, beating his close rival and boyhood hero Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final on both occasions.

Snooker fans have to go back to the mid-90s the last time a player won a ranking event on three successive occasions.

And that was Stephen Hendry who won the UK Championship between 1994 and 1996.

Northern Ireland Open starts today where Judd Trump's attempting to win the title for a 3rd straight year. The last player to win the same ranking event 3 years running was Stephen Hendry (UK Championship 1994-96). Starts Eurosport at 12.45pm! (Eurosport App from 10) #homenations

— David Hendon (@davehendon) November 16, 2020

Trump started his bid for more glory in this year’s Northern Ireland Open on Monday by beating Gerard Greene 4-1 to reach the second round.

For coronavirus reasons, this year’s Northern Ireland Open is being played in Milton Keynes.

After the match Trump told World Snooker Tour: “I think this is only one of a couple of tournaments I’ve won twice so to win it three in a row would be pretty special.

“All of these (Home Nations) tournaments are named after fellow players and this being the Alex Higgins Trophy, the atmospheres in the finals have been very special.

“They were two of the best finals I’ve played in, the standard was incredible. The atmosphere is incredible as well – it’s up there with the final at Germany and the final at The Masters. The crowd really get behind you and I’ve had some amazing support.

“It’s disappointing I can’t be there but hopefully I can maintain my record, get three in a row and take it back and defend it in Northern Ireland.”